LAWS1110 Lecture 4: Lecture 4B - Individual Explanations for Crime
Document Summary
One direction of pursuit for inherent characteristics that might dispose of people to behave in particular ways. A set of beliefs/practices aimed at improving genetic quality of a human population. Linked physiological inadequacy of some form to criminality. Eugenicists believed that feeble-mindedness" was linked with pauperism, promiscuity, and criminality. The nazis in 1930 used this as a platform for imprisonment and execution of sections of society to prevent reproduction. Policy approaches to improve the gene pool encouraging genetically well endowed to reproduce. Financial incentives to have children, taxation of the childless. Compulsory sterilisation: criminals and people with mental disorders. A common response until not that long ago . 1927 us supreme court ruled that the state of virginia had the authority to administer involuntary sterilisation to those deemed to be feeble minded" or otherwise unfit". A further 30 us states passed similar legislation. Over 65,000 americans were compulsorily sterilised over the fifteen years.
